This morning the Treasury issued a report in which it recommended that the SAPS reduce staff by 9 000. In a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world, the recommendation seems questionable at best.

The report was submitted to Parliament last week and could mean that as of next year the police will put a complete halt on all recruitment. The head of the police’s forensic laboratory has already advised that no new staff will be hired.

“With one of the world’s highest crime rates, we need more police officials. This suggestion bodes ill for the improvement of the police’s specialised services, especially detectives and the forensic division,” said Dianne Kohler Barnard, DA MP and shadow minister of police.

She believes firmly that the country simply cannot afford to have fewer police.

Colonel Vish Naidoo, spokesperson for the police, said the figure of 9000 was not set in stone and that many external factors would also influence the decision.

It will happen over a long period of time. Nobody’s job is under threat. The idea is to reduce existing staff numbers through natural means, resignations, retirements… that kind of thing.

He also brought to attention the fact that between 2005 and 2009 the police appointed more than 55 000 new officers, all in anticipation of the 2010 World Cup. Over those years the average intake of officers was 11 000 per year, almost triple the usual number of 3 500.

Spokesperson for the minister of the police, Zweli Mnisi, said that the minister could neither confirm nor deny the claim that staff had to be reduced. He did state that the minister is committed to the improvement of the police service and that the development of the detective and forensic services was a very high priority. He also said that the minister is determined to increase the conviction rate.

Kohler Barnard has stated that she will request an explanation for the recommendation at the police’s portfolio committee meeting.

[Source: News24, Die Beeld]